Caleb Malhotra believes his hockey IQ is the biggest strength of his game.

That trait was very much on display in the CHL USA Prospects Challenge this week.

Team CHL’s top centre and captain was a play-driver throughout the two-game series showcasing 2026 NHL Draft prospects. Malhotra was rewarded for his efforts when he scored a short-handed, breakaway goal in Wednesday’s series-tying 4-3 win in Lethbridge, Alta.

The Brantford Bulldogs forward gobbled up a clearing attempt that bounced off USA defenceman AJ Francisco before speeding past him and eventually going to his backhand for a highlight-reel goal that started Team CHL’s comeback from a 3-1 deficit. The USA went on to win the series with a goal in three-on-three super overtime.

“Just being able (to be effective) on both sides of the puck, seeing plays being able to be made and being able to shut down plays,” Malhotra said in a telephone interview before the series when asked to describe the best part of his game. “Knowing what situations I can try to cheat … on a bounce or which situations I’ve got to stay behind the puck — can’t let anything get by me. I think that’s probably my best asset.”

While Team CHL’s play wasn’t consistent enough against a United States National Development Program under-18 team with far fewer first-round prospects, the six-foot-two Malhotra certainly was one of the standouts. He also picked up a nice assist on a goal by Chase Reid in the opener on Tuesday in Calgary.

Sportsnet’s Sam Cosentino had Malhotra 13th in his November draft rankings, six spots below where his dad Manny was picked in the 1998 draft by the New York Rangers. Caleb was 28th in Cosentino’s October list.

“I’ve got a number I think everybody has a number (they’re aiming for) in their head. I’m going to keep that (close) to my chest,” Malhotra, 17, said.

Malhotra is the same kind of two-way centre as his dad was during a 991-game NHL playing career.

Manny now coaches the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks, winning the Calder Cup last season. But he still finds plenty of time to watch his son play hockey halfway across the country thanks to modern technology.

“If he can’t watch (the games) live, he watches them all back,” Caleb said. “He looks over my shifts. He’s always sending me clips. I love it. It’s really good. It’s not even always about hockey stuff, it’s sometimes about habits. During the whistle, he hates when I chew my mouthguard so he always sends me pictures of that. ‘Just keep it in your mouth, let it do its job (Manny says)’. He just hates it when out of my mouth. It’s really cool. He’s always paid attention really close.”

Caleb’s mother, Joann, too, is a great athletic influence, being a former soccer star at the University of Victoria. You also might know Joann’s brother — a basketball player named Steve Nash.

Caleb’s parents have been a huge help throughout the draft process.

“Just trying to make sure this year to block out all the noise. I think everyone gets a taste in their junior draft year. Then it’s a whole new level here. Even the good noise, as an A-rated prospect and all the rankings even if they’re good, you can’t let it get to your head. That’s what my parents, my mom and dad, always preach …. being humble. Even when someone’s praising you, not allowing it to pump your tires too much. Just take it with a grain of salt, all the good, all the bad.”

Caleb was seven when his dad played his final game in the NHL in 2015, but he had a close-up view of the best league in the world when Manny worked as an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks from 2018-20 and the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2020-24.

“He’s the reason I started playing hockey, the reason I fell in love with the game,” Caleb said. “I’ve learned so much from him, just watching him. Even as a coach, he goes and works out before he gets to the rink every day. Before he starts his meetings and stuff, he’s working out, He doesn’t stop, he’s kind of a machine. I’ve seen that (and realized), wow, this is what it takes.’

Malhotra signed with Brantford this off-season after opting to play last year with Chilliwack of the BCHL. The Kingston Frontenacs, who picked Malhotra in the first round of last year’s OHL Draft, traded his rights to Brantford when he didn’t report.

At the time, playing in the OHL would have prevented Malhotra from eventually playing NCAA hockey with Boston University, where he has committed. But an NCC rule change that shook the sport occurred last November, opening the door for Malhotra to come to the OHL this season.

It was pretty much a no-brainer to join a top-notch Brantford organization, owned by Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Hyman and family. The Bulldogs, who haven’t lost in regulation this season, now have a whopping five NHL first-round picks on the roster after trading for Philadelphia Flyers prospect Jett Luchanko this week.

“A thing that doesn’t get talked about a lot is practice,” said Malhotra, who has 10 goals and 19 assists in 23 games for coach Jay McKee’s team. “You get to push each other in practice a lot. You’re going to compete against Jake O’Brien, top-10 pick (by the Seattle Kraken), Marek Vanacker, first-round pick (by the Chicago Blackhawks), Adam Benak, fourth-round pick (by the Minnesota Wild) but probably one of most skilled players I’ve ever seen.

You get to compete against those guys every day in practice and then you get to go up against (Montreal Canadiens pick) Owen Protz, (St. Louis Blues first-rounder) Adam Jiricek and (Maple Leafs first-rounder Ben Danford when you’re battling in the corner. That’s what makes you better. There’s an excitement for us and it translates on the ice. When you see someone’s not having a great night, someone else is going to step up and fill that space.”

Friday, Nov. 28: Brantford Bulldogs (18-0-4-1) at Brampton Steelheads (10-12-1-1), 7 p.m. ET

This figures to be the Bulldogs debut for Luchanko, who was acquired from the Guelph Storm. Guelph hosts the Memorial Cup next year, when the fleet-footed Luchanko hopes to be a full-time NHLer. He has a very real chance to play in this year’s Memorial Cup in Kelowna, B.C., with the Bulldogs. Expect plenty of scouts at this game in the GTA.

Friday, Nov. 28: Prince Albert Raiders (16-1-4-0) at Brandon Wheat Kings (11-10-1-0), 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT

Fun matchup between the team with the WHL’s best winning percentage and a Brandon squad featuring the league’s second-leading scorer and 2027 NHL Draft-eligible Jaxon Jacobson.

Saturday, Nov. 29: Chicoutimi Sagueneens (16-3-1-2) at Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (14-6-2-1), 4 p.m. ET

The surging Sagueneens are getting great goaltending from Raphael Precourt (1.99 goals-against average, .915 save percentage). Anaheim Ducks prospect Maxim Masse is a QMJHL top-10 scorer for Chicoutimi.

Saturday, Nov. 29: Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-9-1) at Denver Pioneers (9-4-1), 9 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. MT

Minnesota hasn’t had a great year, but did split a two-game series (both one-goal games) with Gavin McKenna and Penn State last weekend. Canadiens goaltending prospect Quentin Miller (1.64 GAA, .941 save percentage) is shining in his freshman season for fourth-ranked Denver.